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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by BekkaH on December 14, 2002, at 0:17:47
I'm not feeling very festive this year. I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet, either in the stores or online, and I'm not in the mood to do it. Any fellow bah-humbuggers out there?
Posted by IsoM on December 14, 2002, at 0:41:09
In reply to Bah Humbug!, posted by BekkaH on December 14, 2002, at 0:17:47
I'm not really a bah humbugger - I just happily don't celebrate Christmas, period. Because I can stand back in a semi-detached manner & watch people shopping where I work, I'm amazed at the sense of stress of most shoppers. I have people ask me what they can buy for family; wives asking about husbands, mostly. They're asking ME! Me, who doesn't even have a clue what their husbands are like???
I suppose I'm fairly anti-establishment. I'm struck by the onslaught of blatant consumerism on display around this time. So much unneeded, poorly made, overpriced, & pretty tacky really is pushed on people at this time of year. And many feel they're somehow not nice unless they spend lots of money on people, many that they don't even like!
I look at the toys offered & they rarely entertain or challenge a child for more than a short time. Poinsettias being sold in the garden section where I work are forced & weakly. Bump them & the branches break. Greenery displays in baskets are expensive & anyone can cut some from all the evergreens that grow about here anyway. And how many lights does a house need wrapped around it to outdo the neighbours? Every year, new lighting displays are thought up to make sure people keep buying new types of lights. Rosie O'Donnell screaming out stomach-wrenching Christmas songs blare from the speakers at work. People shove one another to find what they want & then get angry when they hear it's all sold out & no more is ordered. And the amount of rich food to be eaten around Christmas while others in parts of the world are hungry...
Please don't get me wrong. If any one wants to celebrate Christmas & have fun doing so, go ahead. But there seems more every year who are fed up with it but refuse to be different because of family & tradition, yet still gripe about it. I've had some tell me they wish they could quit celebrating it too.
Poor Bekka, I bet you didn't expect a rant like that, did you? I apologise.
Posted by Mr Cushing on December 14, 2002, at 8:49:37
In reply to Bah Humbug!, posted by BekkaH on December 14, 2002, at 0:17:47
Is that the same in the US and if it is, how does that grab you? Instead of saying "Merry Christmas" we can now only say "Happy Holidays" because so many other ethnic groups don't celebrate Christmas.To top it off... we can no longer have "In-Mall Santas" because they're called instead "Man in Red Suit Day".....
Hmmmmppphh!! You don't find us trying to change the name of Ramadan into "Starve Yourself for a Month".
Posted by NikkiT2 on December 14, 2002, at 11:19:09
In reply to Re: Bah Humbug! » BekkaH, posted by IsoM on December 14, 2002, at 0:41:09
IsoMK - "I look at the toys offered & they rarely entertain or challenge a child for more than a short time."
that is so true... I have tried very hard to get something stimulating for the neices and nephews but its hard... I've got the older ones books this year... but my 8 year old nephew is severely autistsic and its very hard to buy for him... I have bought him a set of books with the story also told on audio cassette, on reccomendation from an Autism news group... Percy the Park keeper!! (I would link, but they're not available at US Amazon, so I couldn't!!)
Am totally lost as to what to get my 14 year old neice though!! I'm not goin near clothes or music as their tastes change daily at that age!!! Any ideas iso??!! *lol* (twas a joke btw!)I wish I could avoid it all this year, but my best friend is over from new Zealand so I have rto see him (fiorst time I've seen him for nearly 2 years!!) and celebrate, and also my neices and nephews would not understand why they had no pressies from Auntie Nikki!!!
I'm keeping it very quiet and low key though
Nikki xx
Posted by IsoM on December 14, 2002, at 11:54:37
In reply to Re: Bah Humbug!, posted by NikkiT2 on December 14, 2002, at 11:19:09
Seriously (though I know you were joking), does she have a computer with internet in her home? Does she like music lots (who doesn't)? Then I bet there's downloaded mp3s on the computer. Ask her parents or her siblings to be sure. I have no idea how much people spend on presents any more, so don't gasp if this is way too much, but I bet she'd love to have her own portable mp3 player. If you think so, check out these reviews & prices:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-Audio-Portable-All-MP3-Price-0_to_100Otherwise, how about a gift certificate to a store that has what she really likes?
Posted by NikkiT2 on December 14, 2002, at 12:13:44
In reply to Re: 14 yr old niece... » NikkiT2, posted by IsoM on December 14, 2002, at 11:54:37
She likes R&B at the moment... but then that genre can be so wide... her dad said that she only listens to music with a parentental warning label on!! *lol* Oh, and her oldest sibling is 4!!! *l*
She's just got an internet pc at home (only at weekends as she live swith her mum during the week)... I have ti give her lessons when I get home next.. will ahve to remember the mp3 sites, I think she's love em!!
And no way can i afford an MP3 player!!! I htink maybe I'll buy her some makeup.. fo rsme reason, gift certs are always frowned upon in our family... thuogh book tokens would be my idea of heaven!!! She lives in a small town, so I can get "trendy" make up labels she can't get at home!! I have been reading up on it (sad isn;t it!!).. so think I know what stuff to go for!!
The problem is, as I'm a "young aunt" she thinks I'm dead trendy and living in London can get the coolest presents!! So I have alot to live up to!!!!
Now, just to find th emoney to get the rest of the pressies!! *l*
Nikki x
Posted by Willow on December 14, 2002, at 21:50:36
In reply to Re: Bah Humbug!, posted by NikkiT2 on December 14, 2002, at 11:19:09
Well I guess the demons are at my door. After wrapping gifts one day I was too tired to hide them so I just plopped them under the tree. And this is from a family that has a tradition of Santa bringing the gifts Christmas eve. So guess I'm in a ba-hum-bug mood. Maybe Santa could bring me a little something to snap me out of it??
Wilting Willow
Posted by Ted on December 14, 2002, at 21:57:45
In reply to What I want from Santa ..., posted by Willow on December 14, 2002, at 21:50:36
What I want from Santa....
1. I want my bipolar disorder to even out better and for the depression to disappear for 100 days next year. (hey -- I'm not greedy. I didn't ask for a cure or anything).
2. I want my wife's depression to END, PERIOD. she has suffered for far too long.
3. I want everyone on PSB to feel good about themselves and their loved ones for at least 100 days.
4. I want the drug companies to invent an AD with no sexual side effects.
5. I want said AD to be available to the world at a reasonable price.That's all. Not much really. I only want 5 things.
Ted
Posted by Dinah on December 14, 2002, at 22:02:25
In reply to Re: What I want from Santa ..., posted by Ted on December 14, 2002, at 21:57:45
Posted by IsoM on December 15, 2002, at 2:27:10
In reply to What I want from Santa ..., posted by Willow on December 14, 2002, at 21:50:36
I hear watering willows with a nice wine does wonders for helping them grow strong & straight...
Posted by BekkaH on December 15, 2002, at 14:55:07
In reply to Re: Bah Humbug! » BekkaH, posted by IsoM on December 14, 2002, at 0:41:09
> I suppose I'm fairly anti-establishment. I'm struck by the onslaught of blatant consumerism on display around this time. So much unneeded, poorly made, overpriced, & pretty tacky really is pushed on people at this time of year. And many feel they're somehow not nice unless they spend lots of money on people, many that they don't even like!
************************************************
Hi IsoM. Yes, the consumerism is appalling. When I was a child, Christmas displays weren't put out until just after Thanksgiving. This year, in my neighborhood, the merchants began their Christmas advertising the day after Halloween!>And how many lights does a house need wrapped >around it to outdo the neighbours? Every year, >new lighting displays are thought up to make sure people keep buying new types of lights.
There are families in my neighborhood that seem to compete with each other for the gaudiest, most blinding light displays. I don't understand what this has to do with Christmas.
The gift-giving I resent most is the one for the lazy superintendent of my building. This sort of "gift" is essentially a bribe, and I feel sick to my stomach each year when I write that check.
> Poor Bekka, I bet you didn't expect a rant like that, did you? I apologise.
Please don't apologize. I always like to read your posts. You are so sensible!
Posted by BekkaH on December 15, 2002, at 15:00:58
In reply to Re: Try Happy Holidays.... » BekkaH, posted by Mr Cushing on December 14, 2002, at 8:49:37
Hi Mr. Cushing,
What country are you in? Don't tell me that "political correctness" has invaded your country, too? Most of the time, political correctness is just plain dishonesty.
Bekka
Posted by Mr Cushing on December 15, 2002, at 15:52:24
In reply to Re: Try Happy Holidays....- Mr. Cushing, posted by BekkaH on December 15, 2002, at 15:00:58
Canada... and apparently it's not Politically Correct anymore to say Merry Christmas since different ethnic groups don't celebrate Christmas.I was told that the other day when somebody said "Happy Holidays" to me... I'm like, don't you mean "Merry Christmas" and they're like, no, it's not Politically Correct anymore.
So I was saying this to a friend of mine on Friday night and he's like, so that's it... I was wondering what that sign in front of the mall across the street from me meant when they posted "Man in Red Suit Day"
So, Bah Humbug! We are not even allowed to celebrate Christmas anymore.
Posted by syringachalet on December 17, 2002, at 21:13:58
In reply to What I want from Santa ..., posted by Willow on December 14, 2002, at 21:50:36
For just one day, i would like to live without fear. To sleep through the night without waking in a cold sweat and remembering the faces..only a part of the faces.. of the people who hurt me so deeply; who raped my trust and threw me away.
For just one waking hour, i would like to be able to hug those in my life who need a hug even more than me. For feel safe enough to give and recieve the caring and tenderness that once was the one thing so many people whom have known me for years hint that is somehow missing.
For just five minutes, i would like to be able to not feel guilt when i have a sexual thought or urge and consider acting on it to not only have release but to possible have a moment of pleasure even at the cost of possible physical pain...i dont think Santa has anything in his magic sack for me this year...i guess.
Posted by Gabbix2 on December 17, 2002, at 23:02:06
In reply to Re: What I want from Santa ..., posted by syringachalet on December 17, 2002, at 21:13:58
Hope,Hope, Hope
Posted by Dinah on December 17, 2002, at 23:03:13
In reply to What I want from Santa ..., posted by Willow on December 14, 2002, at 21:50:36
Courage. I want courage.
Posted by Gabbix2 on December 18, 2002, at 14:51:24
In reply to Re: What I want from Santa ... » Willow, posted by Dinah on December 17, 2002, at 23:03:13
this is no pat, response.
Dinah, I think everyone here and I mean everyone needs to be reminded how bloody courageous we are every single day of our lives.I've heard it said from people who've had cancer, and then later depression that the depression was more difficult.
Rarely do we get an acknowledgement of just how much we fight every day to do things that others take for granted, that we may not be enduring a tragedy tangible to others. but this disease causes the same chemical changes and feelings of loss and devastation that would occur if we were.
Not having a "knowable" battle makes it more frightening not less, we don't get to see the 'end'; or sometimes we are teased with it just to have the illness reappear.With rare exceptions don't get the accolades, the 'verbal medals for bravery, that other illnesses inspire.
I think you need reminding of just how courageous you are, it becomes such an average day, its easy to forget.
Posted by Dinah on December 18, 2002, at 21:37:48
In reply to Re: Courage » Dinah, posted by Gabbix2 on December 18, 2002, at 14:51:24
But...
Did you ever watch The Rugrats? Tommy is the intrepid baby, always into exploring everything. Chuckie is the cautious fearful baby. I always tell my son that Chuckie is the brave one. It's not brave to never be afraid - that's called stupidity. It's brave to do what needs to be done despite your fears. My son doesn't believe me. :)
Still, even by that definition I don't feel brave.
Posted by gabbix2 on December 18, 2002, at 22:56:25
In reply to Re: I don't feel courageous., posted by Dinah on December 18, 2002, at 21:37:48
I agree about the Rugrats, I didn't understand that philosophy until I was in grade 4, I remember exactly because it was in a book I was reading..
And as far as your not feeling courageous..
thats my POINT underlined, the irony of battling this, is that the disease itself prevents us from being able to 'feel' the pride we should in fighting it, or living with it..
Its why we need our friends to REMIND US
Even then its only cognitive "registration" most of the time. But I happen to be well, I think I'm not stupid, (though I do stupid things with alarming frequency)
And in this situation I think I'm a pretty good judge. SO THERE..you can't argue with THAT because inadvertantly you'd be insulting me.. and well
you just wouldn't do that now would you. :)
Posted by Dinah on December 18, 2002, at 23:25:07
In reply to Re: I don't feel courageous. thats my POINT » Dinah, posted by gabbix2 on December 18, 2002, at 22:56:25
This is the end of the thread.
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